Reciprocating toy vehicle.



c. M. BARTHOLOMEW. REOIPROOATING TOY VEHICLE. I APPLICATION TILED JAN. 28, 1910.

Patented-M8828, 1911.

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GASSIUS M. BARTHOLOMEW, OF COLUMBUS, OI-IIO.

RECIPROCATING TOY VEHICLE.

Application filed January 28, 1910.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CAssIUs M. Burr-nononnw, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Reciprocating Toy Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved vehicle of simple and cheap construction adapted to be reciprocated or driven back and forth upon a floor by the application of power with the hands of the rider.

This invention is intended more especially as a childs toy vehicle wherewith they may amuse and exercise themselves within doors, but it can be used as well on smooth pavements out of doors. When made sufficiently large and strong it will constitute an admirable exercising device for grown persons.

The invention is embodied in the instance of it herein shown and described, the invention not being confined in its embodiment to the precise forms, number and proportions of parts shown.

The features of novelty are pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view with one corner of the seat broken out to show the winding reel. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line ale-00 Fig. l.

The frame or body comprises parallel outside timbers or bars 4:, 4:, parallel cross timbers or bars 5 and 5 between the bars 4, 4, rear and forward brace bars 6 and 6 respectively, longitudinal parallel bars 7, 7 extending from the cross bar 5 to the forward brace bar 6 and a brace or foot bar 8 between the bars 7, 7. The seat 8 is mounted on the timbers 5 and 5. The forward wheels 9, 9, are each suitably journaled between a pair of the bars 4 and 7. The rear wheels 10, 10, have a common axle 11 that is journaled in the outside bars 4, 4:. These wheels 10, 10, however, can turn loose on the axle and the latter be fixed if desired. Secured between the rear wheels 10, 10, are a number of rods 12 arranged parallel to each other and in a circle around the axle thus forming with the central portions of the wheels a sort of reel or drum. Tied to the axle 10 is one end of a stout cord or Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2 5, w ll. Serial No. 540,522.

small rope 13 that is extended forward, pass-ed around a pulley 14% secured to the front cross bar 6*. The other end of the cord is provided with a handle 15 preferably adapted to be grasped with both hands of the rider as shown. The cord is of such length that it may be drawn by the rider entirely 0d the reel rods 12 without requiring the rider while sitting on the seat to lean backward unduly. The rear wheels are provided with guards as seen at 16 to pre vent clothing from catching in them or the other parts of the reel.

An example of the operation is this: The cord is wound up on the reel in the direct-ion shown in Fig. 3 and to about the extent shown in Fig. 1. In this condition the vehicle is placed on the floor of an ordinary room near one wall with the forward end headed toward the opposite wall. At the start the rider bends forward to take the cord and a pull on the cord unwinds it and propels the vehicle toward the opposite side of the room. When the cord is entirely unwound the momentum of the vehicle rewinds the cord on the reel but in the opposite direction. In this rewinding the rider is drawn again forward the draft causing a taut and proper winding of the cord. A second pull on the cord as at first then causes the vehicle to retrace its course or travel backward the cord unwinding and rewinding as before except in directions the reverse of those first described. After the rearward movement has been completed the whole operation can be repeated indefinitely.

Skill in the operation of the device is promptly acquired and the work is eminently adapted to afford interest and healthful exercise to the user. In its use motions of the body and arms are somewhat similar to those taking place in rowing but the work is not nearly so laborious as is ordinary rowing. The device is therefore especially adapted for children and for weakly per sons seeking to gain strength and health by gentle exercise.

What I claim is:

l. A reciprocating vehicle comprising, in combination a frame, supporting wheels for the same, a reel or drum fixed to rotate with said wheels, and a cord to wind on said reel or drum, said cord adapted to be operated by a person on said frame to unwind the cord. from said drum and the cord being adapted to be automatically rewound on said reel by the momentum only of the vehicle, substantially as described.

2. A reciprocating vehicle comprising, in combination a frame front and rear supporting wheels for the same, reel or drum operatively and fixedly connected with the rear wheels, and a cord for operating said reel or drum adapted to be manipulated by the rider to propel the vehicle when unwound and to be automatically rewound upon the reel in the opposite direction by the momentum of the vehicle, substantially as described.

3. A reciprocating vehicle comprising, in

i combination, a frame, supporting wheels for 15 l the same, a cord winding device rigidly conl nected with one of said wheels, a cord attached to said winding device-and adapted to he wound thereon and unwound therefrom, said cord adapted to be unwound by 20 a rider on the vehicle to propel the vehicle and to be automatically rewound by the retation of the wheel when the vehicle is so propelled.

CASSIUS M. BARTHOLOMEXV. \Vitnesses BENJAMIN FINOKEL,

MAYME FoARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of: Patents, Washington, D. G. 

